The BBC tries to argue that most people are condemned to follow the reactions of those around them:

One of the first habits we acquire is to glance at mum before deciding how to react to what’s around us. It is called social referencing. How do I know if I should be afraid or eager? I check the reaction elsewhere.

That characteristic equips us well. To find out what others think before we act makes sense: they might know something.

Sure, some find comfort in groups and will only follow others but this hardly explains the opaqueness, lying and selfish parts of the equation. Clearly some are interested in riding a wave they know will fail and fall hard as they see themselves disconnected and immune from the forces of water.